MINERSVILLE, Pa. — A largely overlooked steam locomotive in Pennsylvania’s anthracite coal region is Central Railroad of New Jersey 0-6-0 switcher No. 113 (American Locomotive Co., 1923), owned and operated by the nonprofit Railway Restoration Project 113 of Minersville, Pa. The engine runs only a few times a year, mostly for Santa Claus trains, pulling […]
Train Topic: Preservation
Abilene & Smoky Valley, Heritage Rail Management announce collaboration plans
ABILENE, Kan. — The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad will collaborate with a management subsidiary of American Heritage Railways to expand its operations, strengthen ridership, and advance the non-profit’s mission of education and historic preservation. The collaboration will be in the form of a multi-year agreement with Heritage Rail Management, which provides consulting, management, and […]
Cumbres & Toltec launches 2023 ticket sales
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad has placed tickets for its 2023 season on sale, launching a 15% off holiday sale that runs through Dec. 31. “Last year, we released tickets earlier than ever and our fans were delighted,” railroad president Scott Gibbs said in a press release. “… It makes for a very meaningful […]
Rare New York Central electric locomotives still threatened
GLENMONT, N.Y. — Red tape, a gas pipeline utility, and a lawsuit have combined to delay and further threaten the rescue of two historic New York Central electric locomotives stranded for three decades along the Hudson River south of Albany. The Danbury Railway Museum of Danbury, Conn., has been working for nearly a year to […]
Georgia museum to preserve original MARTA railcar
DULUTH, Ga. — One of the original railcars from the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority fleet will be preserved at the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth following the car’s donation by MARTA. The car was moved from MARTA’s Avondale yard to the museum on Nov. 16. Built by Société Franco-Belge, the car entered service in […]
Historic Union Pacific equipment arrives in Illinois (with video)
SILVIS, Ill. — Union Pacific’s hospital train of historic equipment from Cheyenne, Wyo. arrived at the Silvis shops of Railroading Heritage of Midwest America late on the afternoon of Saturday, Nov. 19, just ahead of planned ceremonies to mark donation of the locomotives and other rolling stock. The equipment, including 4-6-6-4 Challenger No. 3985, 2-10-2 No. […]
Steamtown to close several buildings because of heating issues
SCRANTON, Pa. — The Steamtown National Historic Site will close several buildings beginning today (Sunday, Nov. 20) to address mechanical issues with its heating system. These buildings will remain close until heat can be restored through temporary or long-term repairs, but the park will remain open and all scheduled events through December — including the […]
Interview with Photographer Wang Wei
Interview with Photographer Wang Wei: Golden sunlight-lit autumn leaves, grazing horses, steam, snow. Majestic mountains. Night shots. Sparks. The Big Dipper. Words fail at this point. Wang Wei’s images convey color, contrast, and depth to equal any images showing off awe-inspiring Chinese landscapes. Underlying these images’ qualities is a single constant: trains. Steam locomotives are […]
News photo: Soo Line No. 1003 rambles through central Wisconsin for photo excursion
HARTFORD, Wis. — On Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, a cold, crisp fall morning in central Wisconsin, Soo Line No. 1003, a 1913 Alco 2-8-2 operated by the Steam Locomotive Heritage Association, rambled across the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad as part of a Trains Magazine photo excursion. Pulling a period-correct freight train, attending photographers were treated […]
Minnesota museum acquires dome car, restores EMD F9
DULUTH, Minn. – The Lake Superior Railroad Museum has added a third dome car to its fleet and completed the overhaul of its former Erie Mining Co. F9A No. 4211. Puget Sound Dome car Puget Sound was donated to the museum this summer and arrived in Duluth this month. The car was constructed for […]
Tours of Silvis shops offered after UP engines arrive
SILVIS, Ill. – Railroading Heritage of Midwest America will offer one-hour tours of its Silvis shops, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, one day after several historic Union Pacific steam and diesel locomotives arrive on the property. RRHMA is billing the event as a “Walk Among the Giants” and will feature UP 4-6-6-4 No. 3985, 2-10-2 […]
Hamilton, Ohio, station move appears set for December
HAMILTON, Ohio — The two structures of Hamilton’s historic railroad station will move in December, the Hamilton Journal-News reports. City Engineer Rich Engle said Wolfe House & Building Movers had scheduled an early December move, with a more detailed schedule still to come. The two structures — a one-story and two-story building — will be […]